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Mizzou president resigns: How did we get here?

Tensions and calls for change over systemic racism at the University of Missouri came to heads Monday when president Tom Wolfe stepped down. Here are the events — many of which gained national attention via

Mizzou president resigns: How did we get here?

A series of rapid developments preceded the resignation of University of Missouri System president Tim Wolfe, but critics say it will take much longer to fix racial problems on Mizzou's campus.

Jonathan Butler uses a megaphone Aug. 26, 2015, to encourage others to stand and chant during a "day of action" celebrating graduate students and draw attention to their demands in Traditions Plaza on the University of Missouri campus in Columbia, Mo.(Photo: Daniel Brenner, AP)

University of Missouri president Tim Wolfe stepped down Monday following months of racial tension on campus.

From a high-profile hunger strike, MU football team strike and other non-violent protests, here is a timeline of some of the major recent events that led to Wolfe's resignation, many of which gained national attention via social media and the hashtag #ConcernedStudent1950.

Sept. 12: Payton Head, president of the Missouri Students Association, posts on Facebook about being called a racial slur by a group riding in the back of a pickup truck on campus. The post is shared by thousands.

"If you want to fight for social change at Mizzou there are so many different outlets," he writes. "Apply to be a Diversity Peer Educator, stop by any of our wonderful centers of social justice. Educate yourselves and others. Hold your family, friends, fraternity brothers and sorority sisters accountable. And if this post made you feel uncomfortable, GOOD! That means I'm doing my job. It's time to wake up Mizzou."

Sept. 16: In response to criticisms that the university was not responding adequately to bias incidents, Chancellor R. Bowen Loftin publishes and tweets out a message to students, staff and faculty: "Let me be very clear about where I stand as Mizzou's chancellor: one bias incident is too many. The incidents that I have heard about — both blatant and subtle — are totally unacceptable."

Oct. 5: Legion of Black Collegians members post on Twitter about being harassed and called the n-word by "an inebriated white male at Traditions Plaza" while the group was practicing for a homecoming performance. "Meanwhile, the safety officer present was aware of the entire situation… we were sorely disappointed when her course of action did not meet our expectations," they wrote.

Loftin posts a video to YouTube condemning the event. "We're part of the same family. Don't hate your family, and don't call your family those kinds of names," he says.

Oct. 8: After meeting with the Legion of Black Collegians, Loftin announces a new online diversity training program for incoming students starting in January. Faculty and staff will also be required to take diversity and inclusion training, according to the Columbia Tribune. Echoing many others, a graduate student named Jonathan Butler publishes a column in the Missourian saying the actions are "not enough." Tensions on campus remain.

Oct. 10: A group of 11 black student leaders called Concerned Student 1950 first protest during the MU homecoming parade, blocking a car carrying University of Missouri system president Tim Wolfe.

"The demonstration covered the raw, painful, and often silenced history of racism and discrimination on the University of Missouri's campus. This history of racism at Mizzou dates back to 1935 when Lloyd Gaines petitioned the university to be its first black law student and was denied admission. The actual year that the first Black student, Gus T. Ridgel, was accepted in the University of Missouri wasn't until 1950, hence where the concept of "Concerned Student 1950" comes from," Concerned Student 1950 explains 10 days later.

Oct. 20: In the same letter, Concerned Student 1950 releases a list of demands, threatening "appropriate nonviolent actions" if they are not met by Oct. 28. Among the demands: President Tim Wolfe's resignation and apology, "comprehensive racial awareness and inclusion curriculum," an increase in black faculty and staff to 10% and more. Many speak out that it's not enough.

Nov. 2: Graduate student Jonathan Butler, the same person who wrote the op-ed, begins a hunger strike he says will last until Wolfe is removed from office. That evening, students camp out on campus to support Butler. #ConcernedStudent1950 continues to trend, now with #MizzouHungerStrike, and a Change.org petition is distributed.

Nov. 3: Students meet with Wolfe and Loftin to discuss issues of racism and discrimination. Later that evening, Concerned Student 1950 announces a boycott of "university services including merchandise, retail dining services and ticketed events," according to the Missourian. Two days later, Concerned Student 1950 leads a demonstration before the MU-Mississippi State football game.

Nov. 6: Wolfe says he met with Butler and issues an apology for failing to acknowledge protests during homecoming: "I regret my reaction at the MU homecoming parade when the ConcernedStudent1950 group approached my car. I am sorry, and my apology is long overdue. My behavior seemed like I did not care. That was not my intention. I was caught off guard in that moment." A video taken that evening of Wolfe trying to define "systematic oppression," however, sparks outrage.

@Mizzou pres. Wolfe: "It is very concerning to me..." but not enough to resign? This MO student stands with @_JonathanButler.

Nov. 7: More than 30 football players at the University of Missouri say they will not participate in any practices or games until Wolfe resigns or is terminated. Several black team members announced their decision to strike on social media and Missouri's Legion of Black Collegians posted a statement on behalf of the team with a picture of players unified in support of the boycott.

Members of the University of Missouri football team say they "will no longer participate in any football related activities until President Tim Wolfe resigns or is removed." Wolfe has been criticized for his response to student concerns over racism.
VPC

Never thought I would be in place or time like this to actually make a difference.

Nov. 9: University of Missouri system president Wolfe resigns. Later in the day, Chancellor Loftin said he would transition into a new role on the Columbia campus "where I will work with many people across the university and with the system to advance our research mission."

CLOSE

University of Missouri System president Tim Wolfe stepped down as faculty threatened to walk out and the school's football team went on strike in a show of support for students who say he's done too little to combat racism on Mizzou's campus.